Vision Australia has added eight new Seeing Eye Dogs to its team at a special graduation ceremony for the VIPs (very important pups!) in Brisbane City.
The graduation, held at the Queensland Parliament on Wednesday, 12 October 2022, was hosted by Disability Services Minister Craig Crawford, who remarked that he had a “re-barkable time” with the new Seeing Eye Dogs. The ceremony coincided with World Sight Day.
“Many people have supported these Seeing Eye Dog teams along the way to where they are today,” Mr Crawford said.
“From the volunteer puppy carers who foster potential guide dogs, to the skilled trainers who get them ready to work with their new handlers, and the many other staff and volunteers that keep organisations like Vision Australia running.
“These dogs have learned tasks that are far more complex and nuanced than most other dogs ever have to perform to keep their handlers safe, but they do something even more important than perform on command.
“They support some of the more than 1700 people in Queensland who are blind or have low vision to live independently and participate fully in the community.”
“Training can take up to two years and $50,000, but it’s worthwhile when you see the impact it has,” said Seeing Eye Dogs client services manager Lester Chraim.
“It’s amazing how a Seeing Eye Dog can help handlers reclaim their independence and be so much more active and confident in the community,” Mr Chraim said.
To learn more about the work of Seeing Eye Dogs, visit the official site.
